Gamers Like You and Me: Meet Mary

On LadiesGamers, we have several interview series running, and since late last year, we also have one for gamers like you and me. Gamers who have a passion for their hobby, a hobby that adds value to their lives and who often have been gaming for years and years.

So we made a new series, Gamers Like You and Me. This time, we are talking to Mary from the US. Mary is also part of the Facebook group that Nadia was a part of, the one that started based on a very passionate group of Animal Crossing players. And if my memory serves me right, Mary and I were even part of the same group of AC gamers at the AnimalCrossingCommunity. This means we go way, way back! Time to hear Mary’s story.

Who is Mary?

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Thanks for joining us at LadiesGamers, Mary. Can you tell the audience a bit about yourself, like about everyday life and what hobbies you have?

My name is Mary, and I’m a housewife living on the East Coast of the United States. Been married now for 32 years, so quite some time. I enjoy video gaming and, aside from that, reading horror books and watching scary movies.

I especially like how they can make me scared, the same as going on an amusement park ride. And, of course, I love how they can scare me, especially around Halloween time. My favourite horror book authors are Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

Playing Video Games

You’re a gamer, just like us. When did you first start gaming, and what was your first game?

I started gaming back in the ’80s my first system was the Atari. At that time I was about 8 years old, and in my case, it wasn’t really anyone in my family or friends. It was mostly commercials that I saw about the Atari that made me want to play. The first ever video game I played was Pac-Man!

Once I started, there was no going back; I was addicted to video games. I believe gaming helps keep my mind active, and of course, it’s great fun too.

What devices do you use to play games on?

I have the Nintendo Switch OLED and the PlayStation5. Originally I bought the Switch on release day, I had to get up early that day to get to our local Target and stand in line. The first game I played on it was The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, still one of my favourite games ever. Eventually, I upgraded to the Switch OLED, mainly because of the bigger screen.

In comparison between the Nintendo Switch OLED and the PS5, I have to say the PS5 has better graphics and faster loading times. But the Nintendo Switch has a lot of games that are only available on the Switch, like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

On the PS5, I mainly play RPGs because of the better graphics and faster loading times, as I mentioned.

Do you buy your games physical, or do you download them?

I usually buy physical, but if there’s a sale in either the eShop or Playstation Store, then I’ll buy digital.

Favourite Games

Which video game genres are your favourites and why?

Role-playing games are my favourite, I love games that have an open world to explore with lots of side quests.

I love games with big open worlds, it’s fun to explore big maps, and it’s nice when they give you a choice on difficulty settings. I usually play in easy mode so I can enjoy the scenery and not worry about tough enemies.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the exception in my best-liked games. That’s because it is a relaxing type of game that I’m really hooked on since I first played Animal Crossing: Wild World on the DS. It’s a cozy type of game, and I do love a good cozy game too.

What is your top 5 in games?

Animal Crossing: is my favourite cozy game to play when I want to relax.

Horizon Zero Dawn and its sequel, Forbidden West: I love how beautiful, and big the world is, and there are lots of side quests. Plus, the story was very interesting.

Hogwarts Legacy: is another awesome game, even though I was never a big Harry Potter fan. This game, however, doesn’t so much have anything to do with Harry Potter. Instead, it has a new story to tell. It’s made very well, and I’m hoping they will make DLC for it, to add more to the map and story.

Fallout 4: this game had a good story as well as a big map with lots of side quests. I am hoping for a Fallout 5!

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: I loved how you could choose a female character; in the other Assassin’s Creeds, there were mostly male characters in it. It too has a huge map with lots of exploring and loads of side quests.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: I think this was the best Zelda game. I love the direction they went with it, like a huge map to explore and lots of side quests. I loved taming the horses and being able to ride them. I’m very excited to play the sequel that’s coming out soon.

Which game character would you want to be?

I would want to be Aloy from Horizon Forbidden West. She is a strong female character, and she’s so good at climbing mountains. I love the scenery in this game, it looks so gorgeous. To be in her shoes and see it all for real!